She punched her way to a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championship and then won silver at the 2019 Asian Championship. But now Simranjit Kaur has no job to support herself.
The 24-year-olds from Ludhiana's Chakar village, is running around to find work and is not being successful. Her own state government has not extended any help yet. She has four other members in her family - two younger brothers, elder sister and mother.
Her father used to worked at a local grocery store for just Rs 4,000 per month. He passed away in July 2018 after a heart attack. From then on, Simranjeet has been the sole earner for the family.?
A 'pucca' (constant) source of income, especially if it comes from the Punjab government, would help her feel secure and she can concentrate on representing the country without any mental baggage.
"I have given my application to the Punjab government, but I am yet to get a response," Simranjit told TOI.?
"Last year, Punjab Police had advertised for some posts but they were mostly for the rank of a constable. I hope the government at least gives me a sub-inspector level job."
She is pursuing her graduation - BA second year - from Chandigarh University to ensure she doesn't fall short of the government's academic criterion.
Simranjit's preference is a job with the Punjab government, but her family situation has prompted her to look for employment elsewhere too. "I am the sole breadwinner of the family. My two younger brothers are still studying. My elder sister is employed with the BSF (Border Security Force), but she is married and lives with her husband. The responsibility of the family thus is entirely mine. I want to get a job with the Punjab government but now I am open to a job anywhere else - within the state or outside it."
Interestingly, despite winning accolades for the country, Simranjit has never been employed anywhere. " Kabhi job kiya hi nahi, kisi ne diya hi nahi (Never been employed, nobody offered me a job)."
A source in the Punjab sports department informed that Simranjit had put in requests for a job several times in the last two years.